The Welshman also took home the Young Player of the Year award, making him only the third player in history to receive both prizes in the same season.

"It's a massive honour," the Welshman said.

"To be voted by your peers is one of the biggest things in the game. It's great to win it and I am delighted."

Ronaldo scooped both the young player and the main award in 2007, some 30 years after Andy Gray become the first professional to do so.

Bale won the senior award two seasons ago when he shot to fame with a series of scintillating displays domestically and in the Champions League.

But he has gone on to become an even better player since, transforming himself in to a goal scoring machine that has found the net 29 times for club and country so far this season.

The Welshman, whose latest goal came yesterday in Tottenham's 2-2 draw at Wigan, dedicated the prize to his team-mates and manager Andre Villas-Boas.

"When you look at the list there are some massive names on it and the other nominees have been unbelievable this year, but I couldn't have done it without the team," Bale said.

"They have been fantastic this year and so has the manager.

"I couldn't have won it without them so I would like to give them all a big thank you as well."

"I have a few less assists this year but I am in more scoring positions these days and that has obviously helped my scoring tally as we have seen this season" - Gareth Bale

Bale had previously spent most of his career deployed on the left wing, but this term he has played more centrally, which he thinks is the reason why he has scored so many times.

"I have been shooting a lot more, and I have been coming inside a lot more too," he said.

"There are a few goals which I enjoyed. The one against Norwich was one of my favourites, and the West Ham one.

"Those two are my favourites from this season.

"I have a few less assists this year but I am in more scoring positions these days and that has obviously helped my scoring tally as we have seen this season."

Bale's talents on the pitch are worthy of praise, and his attitude off it has also been complimented.

While Suarez, who was also on the Player of the Year shortlist, has got himself into trouble of late by biting Branislav Ivanovic's arm, PFA chief Gordon Taylor thinks Bale is a good role model to the youth of today.

He said: "Everyone knows Suarez is a great footballer, I just wish at times he could fall in to line because footballers are role models and Gareth and Robin van Persie are really good examples for the younger generation."

Taylor also is in no doubt about the talents Bale has displayed on the pitch this term.

"Gareth has had a tremendous season, he has had the same impact on Welsh football as Ryan Giggs did. He is part of the Southampton success story."

The Merit award went to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the class of '92 and their coach at the time Eric Harrison.

Arsenal Ladies midfielder Kim Little won the inaugural Women's Player of the Year award.

Little, 22, has been a regular at Arsenal since she joined from Hibernian at the age of 16 and last summer was a part of the British Olympic team at London 2012.

This is the first time that the PFA have handed out a women's award as next year will be the first season that females are allowed to join the organisation.

Little was delighted to be involved in the occasion. The Scot said: "It is a great night for me.

"For various years I have watched this event on television so to come here and win the first award is fantastic."